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Written by Kayla Jane Barrie Updated on August 17, 2025 min read

Getting insurance after a DUI

Do you need auto insurance after a DUI? People make mistakes. Even good people and good drivers get charged with a DUI. While we certainly don’t condone driving under the influence, we understand that even people who have been charged with impaired driving in Ontario need help getting a policy.

We are experts in DUI insurance and are partners with all the insurance companies that offer coverage. We can help you get the lowest quotes and rates available.

What you need to know about DUI insurance:

Following a DUI, your insurance company may cancel your policy, increase your rates, or refuse coverage altogether, potentially leaving you uninsured and unable to legally drive.
Serious or criminal convictions, such as a DUI, can double or even triple the rates, based on the number and severity of convictions.
DUI convictions can stay on your driving record for up to 6 years. In severe cases, it can remain on your record forever.

What is a DUI?

A DUI – Driving Under the Influence, or impaired driving – is the operation of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This includes cars, trucks, boats, and off-road vehicles.

DUIs are classified in three ways:

Zero BAC: Novice drivers and those 21 and under must have a zero BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) when driving.
Warning / Roadside suspension for BAC between .05 - .08: Drivers caught driving with a BAC between .05 and .08 fall in the Warn Range.
DUI charge if BAC is over .08: You will be charged if you are caught driving with a BAC over .08.

Can you still get car insurance after a DUI?

What happens after you’ve been charged with a DUI will largely depend on your insurer. One thing is for sure – at a minimum, you can expect a premium increase – and likely a significant increase.

If you do not inform your insurance company of your charge, you risk not being covered if you get into an accident, and your insurance will likely be cancelled.

You still have some insurance options if you have a DUI charge, even if you’ve been cancelled by your current provider.

While cheap DUI insurance doesn’t really exist, when you work with an expert like us, we can help you get the lowest quotes possible, considering your current driving record.

How to get the cheapest DUI car insurance

Whether your rates have gone up or you’ve had your insurance cancelled by your insurer, getting DUI insurance is a similar approach to getting a policy in other situations. It’s important to work with a professional who specializes in DUI insurance. This will give you more options to get insured at the lowest price.

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DUI consequences for drivers in Ontario

Driver taking a roadside breathalyzer test

The consequences of getting charged with a DUI go well beyond losing your driver’s licence and the potential for criminal charges. You could also be faced with these consequences :

Being required to attend a treatment program.
Having your vehicle impounded.
Being fined and even facing jail time.
Having an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle.
Having a criminal record.
Being cancelled by your insurer and having trouble getting insurance.

How much does your insurance go up after a DUI?

Your costs will go up after an impaired charge – to what extent will depend on your driving history, severity of the offence, insurer and other factors.

Average DUI rates are higher than standard insurance. In many cases, you can expect high-risk insurance coverage to be three to five times more than the rates for a driver with a clean record. You can expect your premiums to at least double.

This is in addition to the fines you will be required to pay if you are convicted. First-time conviction fines start at $1,000.

“In Ontario, a typical impaired conviction will move your insurance premiums from around $2,000 to between $8,500 and $10,000 a year – that’s a lot of money,” says MADD CEO Andrew Murie to the Globe and Mail.

Factors that influence car insurance rates following a DUI conviction

Several factors affect car insurance rates after a DUI conviction:

Driving record: A pre-existing clean driving record can help mitigate the impact of a DUI over time, potentially leading to lower rates in the future.
Completion of required classes/treatment programs: Completing mandatory DUI classes or treatment programs can demonstrate a commitment to safer driving.
Vehicle make and model: The type of vehicle you drive influences insurance rates, regardless of your driving record.
Time elapsed since offence: While a DUI remains on your record for years, rates may decrease over time if you maintain a clean driving record.

How long does a DUI affect your insurance?

Many insurers will remove your DUI charge from your record after 3 years, while for others it could take up to 6 years. It depends on the insurer. It will also be removed from your driver abstract after 3 years.

A record suspension pardon can remove a DUI from your criminal record. For summary offences, you can apply 5 years after completing your sentence; for indictable offences, it's 10 years. The application fee is $50, but you're ineligible if convicted of more than three indictable offences with sentences of two years or more.

The application requires gathering documents (from the RCMP, courts, local police, and military if applicable) and completing forms, including an optional form detailing the benefits of a pardon. Processing takes 6-12 months. A granted suspension removes the DUI from your criminal record.

Reinstating your licence requires completing a 10-month program, paying fees ($275+), and potentially fines ($250-$550), vehicle impoundment, and further jail time. An ignition interlock device may allow driving during suspension.

When it is removed, you can expect your premiums to drop back down to a more “normal” level. Keep in mind that your charge will remain on your criminal record.

How do you transition back to regular insurance after a DUI?

Insurance for DUI offenders can be a challenge. It’s expensive, can be difficult to get insured and it will take some time to overcome the situation. Even though it may be difficult, it’s important to start making the steps to transition back to regular car insurance in Ontario, especially as you approach the three year mark after your conviction.

During the penalty period, it’s vital that you follow these tips:

Work with an insurer that specializes in DUI insurance.
Maintain your status as an insured driver.
Compare quotes to explore your options.
Drive safely and keep a clean driving record.
Pay any fines.
Attend all recommended education and treatment programs.
Consider taking a defensive driving course.

DUI statistics in Canada

MADD Canada's statistics highlight the significant problem of impaired driving across the country.

In 2021, police laid about 78,480 total charges and short-term suspensions.
9 charges per hour for alcohol or drug-impaired driving.
An average of 215 charges and short-term suspensions were laid daily.
206 charges and short-term suspensions were laid for every 100,000 Canadians.
59 Canadians died within 12 months of a crash on a public roadway involving a drinking driver where alcohol use was known.
Approximately 1 in 4 of crash deaths occurring within 12 months of a crash on a public roadway where alcohol use was known involved a drinking driver.
496 Canadians were killed in crashes on public roadways involving at least one driver who was positive for drugs, where drug use was known, in 2021.
Almost 45% of 16 to 19-year-olds fatally injured drivers tested positive for drugs in crashes where drug use was known, between 2017 and 2021.
In 2022, road and other crash deaths were among the top causes of death for youth 15 to 24 years.

DUI insurance FAQs

How much does a DUI raise your car insurance?

A DUI conviction could increase your premiums by thousands of dollars per year. You will have higher rates for multiple years after the incident. You also face additional fines and penalties under the criminal code of Canada.

How far back do insurance companies check for DUIs?

Insurers will generally look back 3 to 5 years to check for driving violations. Some companies may look back even further.

Will my insurance drop me after a DUI?

Your insurer will consider you a greater risk after a DUI. They could choose to not renew your insurance. If they don’t drop you, expect your rates to skyrocket.

Does insurance cover DUI accidents?

Since Ontario has a no-fault insurance system, you deal with your insurer for all accident types. If you are hit by an impaired driver, you will be covered under your policy. If you get a DUI and cause an accident, your insurer could deny your claim and refuse to pay for damages.

Where can I get insurance after a DUI?

A number of insurers specialize in offering coverage for drivers with a DUI. At ThinkInsure, we can help you compare quotes from all of these companies to find the most affordable rate for your situation.

Can insurance deny a caim because of a DUI?

Yes. An insurer has the right to deny your claim because you were impaired.

Convicted for impaired driving? Compare DUI insurance quotes with ThinkInsure

Getting an affordable insurance starts by working with an insurer that specializes in this. If you’ve been charged with impaired driving, ThinkInsure can help you compare car insurance quotes to find the best rate for coverage after a DUI.

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Kayla Jane Barrie

Digital Content Writer

Kayla-Jane has been a content writer with ThinkInsure since 2020. She creates insurance content for auto, home, and commercial. Kayla-Jane has a diploma in Journalism.

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